SRI - Singapore Realtors Inc.

10 Jan 2025

Singapore's Shophouse Market Trends and Outlook for 2025

Property Insight

Freehold shophouse properties dominated the shophouse market in 2024, representing 69.4% of transactions. These properties remain highly sought after for their perpetual ownership and long-term security. Properties with 999-year leasehold tenure accounted for 18.1%, while 99-year leaseholds constituted 12.5% of transactions, highlighting varied investor interests.

District 8 led shophouse transactions with 33 deals, emphasizing its appeal due to its central location and vibrant commercial activities. Other notable districts included District 14 with eight transactions and Districts 1 and 2 with five transactions each, underscoring sustained demand in strategically located areas.

The rental market also showed strength, with total rental value rising from $34.9 million in the first 11 months of 2023 to $37.7 million during the same period in 2024, marking an 8.2% year-on-year growth. This increase reflects robust demand for shophouses as versatile commercial spaces, bolstered by their charm and strategic locations.

Tourism recovery played a pivotal role in boosting the market. International visitor arrivals surged from 12.4 million in the first 11 months of 2023 to 15.1 million in the same period in 2024, a 22.3% increase. This growth supported sectors like accommodation, retail, and F&B, further driving demand for commercial shophouse spaces.

Looking ahead to 2025, the shophouse market is poised for sustained growth. Factors such as anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts, Singapore's strong global connectivity, and its positioning as a global business hub are expected to support investor confidence. The enduring appeal of conservation properties, coupled with the continued momentum in tourism, will likely bolster demand. These dynamics position the shophouse segment as a robust and attractive asset class within Singapore’s commercial property market.

Click here for the full report

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

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Wee Hur and GSC Holdings Top Bid $613.9 Million for Upper Thomson Road GLS Site (Parcel A)

The top land bid for the Upper Thomson Road (Parcel A) site was submitted by Wee Hur Property Pte Ltd and GSC Holdings Pte Ltd at $613.9 million ($1,062 psf ppr). Their offer edged out the second-highest bid by a narrow 2.1%, underscoring the consortium’s strong conviction and competitive stance in securing this well-located site along the Thomson corridor. For Wee Hur, this marks a timely move to replenish its residential land bank, following its last notable condominium launch, Bartley Vue, a GLS site awarded in 2020.

The site had previously closed in June 2024 without any bids, likely due to the inclusion of a mandatory serviced apartment component in a location where demand for such units was largely untested. This reflected developers’ cautious stance toward projects in emerging residential areas with unconventional use requirements.

Responding to this, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) introduced refinements in the 1H2025 GLS Programme to make the parcel more appealing. Serviced apartments were no longer a compulsory component, but subject to approval, giving developers more flexibility in conceptualizing their projects. This adjustment demonstrated URA’s responsiveness to market feedback and its commitment to aligning land parcels with prevailing demand dynamics.

These changes yielded positive results. The relaunch attracted five bids, a significant improvement over the earlier tender and even surpassing participation for the neighbouring Parcel B, which received only one bid. The renewed interest was also likely spurred by the successful launch of Springleaf Residence on the adjoining Parcel B site. Developed by GuocoLand and Intrepid Investments, Springleaf Residence achieved an impressive take-up rate exceeding 92% during its launch weekend, reinforcing developer confidence in the area’s growth potential.

The resurgence of interest signals growing recognition of the Springleaf Precinct as an emerging residential enclave with strong connectivity via the Thomson-East Coast Line. Supported by proximity to Springleaf MRT and the corridor’s lush greenery, the area is evolving into a sought-after address for both homeowners and investors.

With more than 95% of units sold, Springleaf Residence is expected to be fully sold before the Parcel A project launches. The limited unsold inventory and positive buyer sentiment will likely support new demand spillover from purchasers who missed earlier opportunities.

Overall, the tender results mark a turning point for Upper Thomson Road, reinforcing confidence in the precinct’s transformation into a vibrant and well-connected residential enclave in the northern region.

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here

for the full report

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

Property Insight

Developer Sales Outlook Brightens with New Launches Like Faber Residence and Penrith

Developers moved a total of 255 private residential units (excluding ECs) in September, moderating from the 2,142 units transacted in August. The slowdown was not unexpected, coinciding with the Lunar Seventh Month, a period where homebuying sentiment typically softens. However, the lull proved brief, as Skye at Holland achieved an exceptional performance, selling about 658 units (99% of its total) during its launch weekend in early October surpassing the entire September total.

The positive momentum is expected to continue with the upcoming launches of Faber Residence and Penrith, followed by Zyon Grand, The Sen, and Coastal Cabana (EC) in the coming months. These previews and launches are set to reignite sales momentum in the final quarter of the year, providing a healthy pipeline of new inventory for homebuyers and ensuring a steady stream of fresh supply to meet sustained demand from both upgraders and investors.

Part of the market optimism can be traced to the US Federal Reserve’s rate cut in 2024, which eased liquidity conditions and lifted buyer sentiment. This supportive backdrop was reinforced at the recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, where the Fed reduced the Funds Target Rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.00%–4.25%, signalling continued willingness to support growth and lower borrowing costs. The move is expected to enhance affordability and spur stronger buyer confidence, providing further upside for developers timing their launches to capture sentiment shifts.

In September, the highest transacted condominium was a four-bedroom unit at 21 Anderson, sold for $24.0 million. The spacious 4,489 sq ft freehold residence in Tanglin achieved $5,347 psf, marking it as the top condominium sale of the month. This sale reflects the renewed strength of the luxury segment, which saw 21 non-landed new homes priced at $10 million and above transacted in the first nine months of 2025—almost three times the 8 units sold in the same period of 2024.

Among individual projects, Canberra Crescent Residences emerged as the top-seller with 28 units sold at a median price of $2,001 psf, followed by Grand Dunman and River Green. These results reaffirm the continued depth of buyer demand across all regions, from OCR to CCR, as Singapore’s private residential market enters the final quarter on a firm footing.

Click

here

for the full report

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

Property Insight

UOL, SingLand and Kheng Leong JV Tops GLS Tender for Dorset Road Site at $1,338 psf ppr

The tender for the Government Land Sales (GLS) site at Dorset Road has officially closed, marking another milestone in the continued rejuvenation of the Farrer Park precinct. The joint venture between UOL Group, Singapore Land Group (SingLand), and Kheng Leong Company emerged as the top bidder, submitting a land price of $524.3 million, which translates to $1,338 psf ppr.

The outcome reflects UOL’s ongoing confidence in the city-fringe residential market, following the strong market reception of its recent joint-venture project, Skye at Holland, which has drawn considerable buyer attention. This momentum likely reinforced UOL’s conviction in pursuing another centrally located site with strong long-term growth potential.

A total of nine bidders participated in the tender, demonstrating sustained developer confidence in well-connected Rest of Central Region (RCR) plots. The competitive turnout underscores developers’ positive outlook for city-fringe housing demand, especially in established neighbourhoods like Farrer Park and Novena, where upcoming transformations are set to enhance the precinct’s appeal.

The Dorset Road site shares similar locational advantages. It is within walking distance of Farrer Park MRT station, City Square Mall, and the Connexion medical and lifestyle complex, while being minutes from key city districts such as Novena and Orchard. Proximity to the Novena healthcare hub, reputable schools, and a rich mix of amenities further enhances the site’s attractiveness to families, professionals, and investors alike.

The future development is expected to yield approximately 425 residential units, positioned within a vibrant and evolving community. The Farrer Park transformation aims to blend modern living with heritage preservation, introducing new housing integrated with sports, wellness, and green spaces that honour the area’s sporting legacy. This thoughtful approach will create a balanced, community-oriented urban environment, reinforcing the precinct’s appeal as a liveable city-fringe destination.

Click

here

for the full report

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

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